Tewksbury blanks Westford girls

Stephen Martellucciwestford.sports@wickedlocal.com

Tuesday

Feb 13, 2018 at 10:23 PMFeb 13, 2018 at 10:23 PM

One game after qualifying for the state tournament, the Westford Academy girls hockey team took it on the chin Feb. 10 as the Grey Ghosts were blanked, 4-0, by visiting Tewksbury-Methuen at the Groton School.

The Grey Ghosts were outscored 9-0 in two games by the Red Rangers this season.

“They are a very skilled team with three good lines,” Westford coach Bob Ware said.

After a scoreless first period, Tewksbury-Methuen (15-1, 7-1 MVC-DCL Large) put two pucks in the net in each of the second and third periods.

The Grey Ghosts (8-4-4, 4-3-1) gave up the third goal on an empty net with 2:28 left as Westford had a 6-on-4 advantage.

The final goal was even strength with 52 seconds left and was the third time the Grey Ghosts have been shut out this season.

The Red Rangers outshot Westford on goal, 21-17, as Grey Ghosts goalie, Allie Dean, made 17 saves to fall to 6-4-4 in net.

On Feb. 8, the Grey Ghosts tied visiting Andover, 2-2, to clinch a bid to the Division 1 state tournament.

“We played a very good game,” Ware said. “Andover has a very good team and we were able to get three out of the four points against them this year.”

Val Crory put the locals on the scoreboard 3:14 in on the power play. Kerri Bolivar and Hannah Keefe both assisted.

At the 7:22 mark of the second period, Keefe scored, unassisted.

The Golden Warriors, however, scored twice in the third. The first one came at the 5:17 mark while the game-tying tally came with 4:40 left in the game.

Westford outshot Andover on goal, 22-20, as Dean made 18 saves.

On Saturday, the Grey Ghosts play the Haverhill-Pentucket-North Andover co-op team at Haverhill High Rink. Face-off is at 7 p.m.